---
title: "Could McGovern force Rudd(y) out the door?"
canonical: "https://readnorwich.com/2016/07/19/could-mcgovern-force-ruddy-out-the-door/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Daniel Emery"
section: "Articles"
published: "2016-07-19T18:15:46Z"
modified: "2016-07-19T18:15:46Z"
---

# Could McGovern force Rudd(y) out the door?

Norwich City completed their second signing of the summer transfer window today – signing Michael McGovern on a free transfer.

McGovern was a free agent after leaving Scottish Premiership side Hamilton. His contract ran out at the start of the month and he rejected terms on a new deal with the Scottish outfit.

The 32-year-old impressed for Hamilton in the last two seasons, missing just one league match during his tenure at the club. He was lauded as one of the best goalkeepers in the division and played a massive part in two good seasons for Hamilton as a club.

![Stu Forster/Getty Images Sport](https://media.readnorwich.com/readnorwich/2016/07/542767166.jpg)

He will already have some familiar faces when he comes in, having spent time at Hamilton with Alex Neil, Tony Andreu and Carlton Morris. Neil played alongside and managed McGovern during his time as player-manager at Hamilton, which was a big pull for the shot-stopper.

Yet, the signing has promoted almost every Norwich fan into asking the question “will he be number one?”.

McGovern made it no secret that he wanted to move to a club and play first-team football. He even rejected the chance to move to Southampton and play second fiddle to Fraser Forster in the search for regular action. So, why would he want to come in and be third choice?

Both John Ruddy and Declan Rudd are eager to claim the number one spot for the upcoming season, which leaves Neil with a dilemma. He now has three goalkeepers who won’t settle for second place, certainly not third.

![Stephen Pond/Getty Images Sport](https://media.readnorwich.com/readnorwich/2016/07/530774230.jpg)

It is thought that Rudd will move on this summer if he isn’t first-choice, so he would be certain to leave if Neil makes him third choice. Rudd got a taste of Premier League action for Norwich last season, and was perhaps unfairly dropped. He will be hoping he can capitalise on some poor performances from John Ruddy to be Neil’s main man next season.

John Ruddy, on the other hand, will not want to be sitting on the bench all season. This becomes even more apparent when you realise that he has just one year left on his Norwich contract.

This becomes a big problem for Neil, because he has three options; sell Ruddy this summer and claim a fee; let Ruddy leave on a free next summer; give him a contract, despite his poor performances in the last few seasons. A new contract would be very risky, given his performances. However, it could be a good move if he somehow manages to turn his career around and start performing again between the sticks for Norwich.

![Clive Mason/Getty Images Sport](https://media.readnorwich.com/readnorwich/2016/07/506410348.jpg)

If Ruddy was able to get back to the player he was four/five years ago, Norwich would have one of the best English goalkeepers back. But, at the moment, Neil has an underperforming star with one year left on his contract to deal with. I wouldn’t want to be in his shoes.

This brings us to McGovern. After rejecting Southampton’s second spot, he would not be willing to join a club in a league below to be third choice. This leaves, logically, us with Rudd or Ruddy to leave.

Neil has to decide which one should leave. But which one should? It’s a tough one. Do you go with experience or potential. Ruddy has the experience but not the potential, but Rudd has the potential and not the experience. Ruddy is 29-years-old now, which isn’t old for a goalkeeper, but he is four years older than Rudd – who is still seen as an up-and-coming ‘keeper.

Rudd is clearly the better shot-stopper, but Ruddy has the edge in physical side of things. Ruddy has the big game experience and knows how to handle pressure situations. Although, Rudd’s ability to come and claim crosses was far superior to that of Ruddy last season. Ruddy had the lowest claim success rate of any goalkeeper in the Premier League last season, but that is of course influenced by the number of crosses he came to claim.

Ruddy also has just one year left on his Norwich contract, as previously mentioned. This tips the balance in Rudd’s favour. However, Neil could keep all three at the club. Yet, if he chose this option he would almost certainly end up with a disgruntled goalkeeper, which isn’t what he wants.

It seems to me that McGovern/Rudd will play 1st/2nd choice and Ruddy will be moved on this summer. This would mean another ‘keeper would need to come in, with Neil wanting three senior goalkeepers at the club.